Mariano says put me in coach…I can be centerfield

It was an honor to watch Mariano Rivera get his just due on Mariano Rivera day at Yankee Stadium last weekend. It was perhaps even more touching watching Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite take the ball from Mo once last time. He exited as the game’s greatest closer of all time and one last long contemplative walk from the mound to the dugout in his home stadium of 19 seasons.

The Yankees now enter the final weekend of the season with a series against the hapless Houston Astros. And it appears they may not wait for a chance for Rivera to take the mound. Instead, he may be seen in an unfamiliar spot — centerfield. The last time Mo was in the outfield it was shagging balls in what turned out to be an ill-advised activity (he tore his ACL).

This go-around it may happen during a regular season game, with Girardi’s blessing (from AP).

Yankees manager Joe Girardi says Mariano Rivera can play center field this weekend against Houston if he wants to.

The 43-year-old closer, who is retiring Sunday, has said he wants to play in the outfield.

“I’ll talk to him every day to see what he wants to do. I know he’s talked about playing some center field, but I know he has some concerns about his leg. That’s really up to him. If he wants to do it, he can do it. I’m OK with it,” Girardi said.

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About Cecilio's Scribe

Cecilio's Scribe is the founder of The Legend of Cecilio Guante and a generally pessimistic fan of the Mets, Jets, Knicks and Rangers. A fine NYC-based gentlemen who hones his marketing skills as his primary trade by day. Husband, chef, father of a newborn and after-hours blogger by night. Proud alum of the mighty Big Red of Cornell. University. Hot sauce devotee. Staunch protester of the continued wussifcation of American sports. Sometimes I rhyme slow, sometimes I rhyme quick.